SBS World News Radio

Markets held relatively steady to close the week, with the ASX200 dipping just 0.1 per cent but still breaking a three-week losing streak, as Adam Dawes from Shaw and Partners unpacks the key movers including sharp losses in tech and gains in energy stocks. At the same time, fresh warnings from the OECD point to rising global food prices if conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt fertiliser shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Stefan Vogel from Rabobank Research explains what that could mean for Australian farmers, supply chains and grocery bills in the month's ahead.

The US has maintained for days that negotiations between US and Iran are underway, a claim Tehran denies. From escalating military attacks to high stake warnings, the situation is shifting rapidly - with global implications at stake. As tensions mount in the Middle East, the US President says he's extending a pause on Iran's energy site strikes, for ten days.

Australia's government insists it still has not received any direct requests from the United States for military aid in its war with Iran, after a public attack from President Donald Trump. The US president has criticised allied countries for not providing assistance in the conflict, as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to put pressure on global oil prices. Meanwhile, the government maintains it's imperative for the war to be resolved as soon as possible, as the economic and social consequences unfold locally.

Experts say the lawsuit against Meta and YouTube is a first crack in the dam that could eventually lead to tighter regulation of social media platforms. On Wednesday, a California jury awarded millions of dollars in damages to a 20-year-old woman after deciding that Meta and YouTube designed their platforms to hook young users without concern for their well being. Snapchat parent company Snap Inc. and TikTok were also included in the lawsuit but settled for undisclosed sums before the trial. A day earlier, a New Mexico jury handed a $375 million penalty to Meta after determining the company knowingly harmed children's mental health and concealed what it knew about child sexual exploitation on its platforms. In this episode of Weekend One on One we hear from Mark Stephens who's a specialist in international, appellate and complex litigation, and who works at the Howard Kennedy law firm.

Australia's minimum wage is back in focus, with the government signalling support for a real wage increase ahead of the Fair Work Commission's June decision, as unions and business groups put forward competing claims. Independent economist Chris Richardson unpacks what a potential rise above inflation could mean for the economy. Meanwhile, the sharemarket dipped after a strong rally, with Darren Thompson from Equity Trustees breaking down the latest moves across sectors and what is driving investor sentiment.

Donald Trump inflames confusion over war in the Middle East and where are Mojtaba Khamenei's hidden millions? Plus, Israel raises annexation of southern Lebanon, Australia signs a massive trade deal with the EU, and some father-daughter time dictator style as North Korea's Kim Jong Un rolls out the tanks.

Iranians holding visitor visas will be banned from entering Australia for six months starting from Thursday as migration law experts warn the ban could set a precedent for conflicts in the future.

With peace talks stalled, Russia has launched one of its largest aerial attacks on Ukraine, killing civilians and damaging critical infrastructure-and bringing about Ukrainian retaliation.

Missiles over Jerusalem, fires at a major Gulf airport, and warnings that one strike on a key Iranian island could trigger a wider war. As the US signals the conflict with Iran may end within weeks, the fighting itself is telling a different story.

A US jury has found Meta and YouTube liable in a first-of-its-kind lawsuit that aimed to hold social media platforms responsible for harm to children using their services. The verdict could mark a turning point in the global backlash against their platforms' perceived mental health harms to kids and teens, more than two decades after the emergence of social media.

Australia and the European Union have signed a landmark $10 billion trade and security pact to eliminate industrial tariffs and strengthen co-operation on cyber and maritime defence. The Prime Minister has hailed it as an economic win, but the deal has faced criticism from the National Party regarding agricultural access. SBS Chief Political Correspondent Anna Henderson has been talking to National Party leader Matt Canavan about their objections to the deal and also about the Government's actions over the fuel crisis.]]

Australia's inflation shows signs of stabilising but remains stubbornly above target, just as global tensions threaten to push prices higher for longer. In this episode of SBS On the Money, Ricardo Gonçalves breaks down the latest data from the Bureau of Statistics and what it means for interest rates with Westpac Senior Economist Pat Bustamante. Plus, the ASX200 delivers its strongest gain in nearly a year, driven by a surge in materials and retail stocks, while energy slips on shifting oil price expectations. Betashares' Cameron Gleeson joins the podcast to unpack what's moving markets and what investors are watching next.

Trade Minister Don Farrell speaks to Chief Political Correspondent Anna Henderson. He is defending a new trade deal with the EU which will see beef exports to Europe increase eight-fold, despite the National Farmers' Federation calling for far higher quota. The government says the agreement is also a win for wine, seafood and other Australian producers.

A landmark conference about refugees in Australia is underway in Adelaide, aiming to bring refugees and multicultural communities together.

The world has just experienced the hottest 11 years on record. A new climate report warns that the planet is not only warming, but storing more energy than it releases - accelerating climate change. But what is that likely to mean for us here in Australia?

Israel says it will push up to 30 kilometres into southern Lebanon to establish a defensive buffer zone along the Litani River. Hezbollah is vowing to resist any advance and the United Nations warns the escalating conflict is deepening an already severe humanitarian crisis.

The latest report on Closing the Gap Targets, released last month, found just four of the nineteen targets are on track. Among those targets Australia is failing to meet, the country is moving backward when it comes to reducing suicide rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people , which are now more than three times higher than for non-Indigenous Australians. First Nations health advocates and practitioners are urgently calling for investment in new approaches to preventative mental health led by First Nations wisdom and experience.

Australia's new free trade deal with the European Union could unlock a $10 billion boost to trade, cut prices on European goods and expand access for local exports, though it comes with compromises for some producers. University of Technology Sydney Chief Economist Tim Harcourt explains what it means, before a look at the markets with Stuart Roberts from Stocks Down Under, as the ASX200 edges higher and mining stocks lift.

Tens of thousands of education workers have walked off the job and marched on the Victorian parliament over a pay dispute. It's the first time in 13 years the state's teachers, principals and support staff have staged a 24-hour stoppage, severely disrupting lessons in hundreds of schools.

Australia and the European Union have signed a landmark $10 billion trade and security pact to eliminate industrial tariffs and strengthen co-operation on cyber and maritime defence. While the Prime Minister has hailed it as an economic win, the deal has faced criticism from the National Party regarding agricultural access, and from the Greens over Australia's strategic dependency on Europe.

Iran says no negotiations have been held with the United States, despite US President Donald Trump's claims US envoys have been holding talks with a respected Iranian leader. Mr Trump had earlier abruptly postponed plans to obliterate Iran's power plants. Meanwhile, Israel says it will continue to strike Iran and Lebanon, as the U-S considers a ceasefire.

The war in the Middle East, and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has triggered what experts describe as one of the most significant energy crises in decades. But oil and gas are not the only vital resources that are impacted. The war has also severely disrupted the flow of fertiliser from the Middle East, triggering concerns over the impacts on local food production and food security.

The International Energy Agency is warning world leaders may not appreciate the depth of the energy crisis that is looming, as the US war with Iran develops. The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has triggered a global fuel shortage experts say will have widespread and severe implications.

The recent attempt by Iran to launch a missile attack on the UK-US air base on the island of Diego Garcia in the middle of the Indian Ocean has raised questions about the real strength of Iran's firepower. Iran previously has put a self-imposed limit on its ballistic missile program, limiting their range to (2,000 kilometers. Diego Garcia is well outside that range, 4000 kilometres from Iran. And as the war drags on, how much weaponry does Iran have in reserve? Justin Bronk, an airpower and defence analyst at defence think tank the Royal United Services Institute, has told the Associated Press Iran's resources are not limitless.

As the use of Artificial Intelligence surges around the world, the number of data centres required to power the technology is also growing rapidly, including in Australia. Now the Federal Government is laying out a plan aiming to ensure sustainability, as investment in data centres grows.

The South Australian election has triggered a federal political crisis, with One Nation displacing the Liberals as the primary alternative to Labor and securing its most significant electoral foothold in nearly 30 years. As the Coalition grapples with whether to pivot right to reclaim regional voters or overhaul its suburban appeal, the result has forced a panicked Parliament House to recognise the populist surge as a permanent disruption to the traditional political order.

In a climate of increasing global conflict and uncertainty, people are adopting a peaceful practice to reduce stress. Forest bathing is giving nature-lovers respite from a chaotic and challenging news cycle.

Missiles have struck Israel, as Israeli forces expand operations on the ground in Lebanon. The developments mark a significant widening of the war in the Middle East, raising fears of there being no end in sight. Meanwhile, the US is warning Iran about the risks involved, if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened.

The Labor Party has comfortably won re-election in South Australia in a poll which saw support for One Nation climb to more than 21 per cent of the vote. Premier Peter Malinauskas secured a second term with a significantly increased majority while the Liberal Party secured around 19 per cent of the vote. As vote counting continues, it remains unclear whether One Nation can secure any lower house seats.

As Iran is embroiled in an ongoing war and crippling economic conditions, multiple reports have shown its new supreme leader is linked to a multi-million dollar portfolio of assets all over the world. Some are concerned this money trail may reach as far as Australia.

A new HIV drug has arrived in Zimbabwe, promising protection from the virus that has devastated the population in the past two decades. But there are concerns that testing health systems won't cope, after international aid cuts.

Fuel prices are climbing and tensions in the Middle East are putting even more pressure on what we pay at the pump. So how can everyday drivers squeeze more kilometres out of every tank? In this edition of Weekend One on One, SBS's Asha Abdi spoke to Andrea Matthews, Motoring Editor at RACV, about practical tips to help you stretch your fuel further without changing your life too dramatically.

Tributes are being made to SBS Elder-in-residence and Widjabul Wia-bal woman, Auntie Rhoda Roberts, who has died at the age of 66. Her short battle with a very rare type of ovarian cancer ended on Saturday afternoon on her country surrounded by family. The decorated writer, actor and director was awarded an Order of Australia in 2016 for her service to performing arts and immense impact on and off the stage and screen. Rhoda Robert's family has granted permission for SBS to broadcast images and audio, to honour and celebrate her life and enduring legacy.

Festivities marking the spring equinox are tinged with sorrow, as war continues to devastate the Middle East. Even so, more than 300 million people worldwide are expected to welcome Nowruz - the new year - with families, food and fresh hope.

South Australians head to the polls on Saturday, 21 March, to elect the state's 56th Parliament, with the latest YouGov poll pointing to a strong result for Labor. The survey suggests Labor could achieve its highest-ever two-party preferred vote in South Australia, while the Liberal Party is tracking toward a historically poor outcome. Meanwhile, Pauline Hanson's One Nation is polling at 22 per cent, signalling a significant presence in the vote. SBS Chief Political Correspondent Anna Henderson spoke with One Nation candidate and former Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi.

South Australia votes to elect its 56th Parliament on Saturday, 21 March. YouGov's final poll ahead of the election showed Labor is on track to secure its highest-ever two-party preferred vote in the state party's history, while the Liberals face their worst result to date. One Nation however is at 22 percent. SBS Chief Political Correspondent Anna Henderson has spoken with South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas about his hopes for the election - and what he thinks of Pauline Hanson.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Tony Sycamore from IG Austraila about the day's market action and why markets are now pricing in three rate rises this year; plus Stephanie Youssef looks though The Australian's Rich List 250 with list editor John Stensholt.

New data from the Productivity Commission reveals that the national effort to Close the Gap is failing. As the 2031 deadline looms, Indigenous leaders and advocates are calling for an urgent shift away from "band-aid" government strategies toward genuine community-led action and structural reform.

Oil and gas facilities are now being targeted in the war in the Middle East, prolonging the disruption to global fuel supply chains. It has also sent shockwaves to the global economy.

As the war in the Middle East continues, the United States is fighting a battle on another front: information.

The Prime Minister has appointed a 'fuel tsar' to help tackle supply chain issues caused by the war in the Middle East. It comes as the competition watchdog investigates major fuel suppliers for alleged bad behaviour.

The war in the Middle East is entering a dangerous new phase, with a global oil chokepoint at the centre of rising tensions, but just how far will NATO allies go to support Trump's push to reopen the Strait of Hormuz? Plus, a delayed China meeting raises fresh diplomatic concerns, and why not everyone is feeling the economic squeeze.

The heads of the UN land mine action program for Ethiopia and Sudan have called for more funding and awareness over the munitions, which kill and maim a disproportionate number of children. They are launching the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, hosted by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research.

A WARNING THAT THIS STORY MAY BE DISTRESSING FOR SOME LISTENERS: Scotland's Parliament has rejected legislation that would have made Scotland the first part of the United Kingdom to allow terminally ill adults to end their lives. Members of the Edinburgh-based legislature voted 69 to 57 against a bill that would have let people in Scotland with six months or less to live seek help to end their life. The Scottish vote is part of a wider debate across the UK.

As the humanitarian and energy crisis in Cuba worsens, US President Donald Trump has announced he plans on "taking" the Caribbean island. Desperate for relief from a US-imposed blockade, Cuban citizens and members of the diaspora say that while they're hopeful for change, they're fearful of the US agenda.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Jamie Hannah from VanEck about the day's market action including the latest global interest rate expectations and what it means for investments, while BHP announces who will replace CEO Mike Henry.

Plans to build a production hub for the Special Broadcasting Service in Western Sydney will no longer go ahead. The government has indicated its decision has been made in the context of the current fiscal environment.

A top U-S counterterrorism official has resigned over the war in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has lashed out at NATO allies and Australia, saying the U-S no longer needs their assistance. And Israel's military says it'll continue to target Iranian leaders.

The war in Ukraine is intersecting with rising instability in the Middle East and pressure on global energy supplies. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in London, warning modern warfare is rapidly evolving and pushing for deeper defence cooperation. At the same time, the EU is moving to resolve an oil dispute threatening support for Kyiv.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Nick Stenner from Bank of America; Alice Shen from VanEck; and Sally Tindall from Canstar to find out why the RBA lifted interest rates, how the market reacted and what it means for borrowers.

The Reserve Bank has hiked interest rates by 25 basis points to 4.1 per cent. It's the second rise in a row - and there could be more to come.